29 October 2007

Juan Pablo Montoya’s rookie season on the Nextel Cup has been an up and down affair – he currently sits 19th in the standings. Yet give Montoya credit. He’s going door to door ahem, car to car to build his fan base stateside. In fact on Thursday, he’ll go even further, entering the service business in attempt to drum up some excitement for himself and the Nextel Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday.

Montoya and his No. 42 crew will stop by the Texaco station on Meachum Dr., in Fort Worth from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, but not to do the average team appearance. Instead, they will be pumping Texaco fuel for customers, and also plan to challenge patrons on the No. 42 pit stop simulator in the parking lot of the station that is located off exit 56A on I-35.

Montoya’s No. 42 Dodge is sponsored by Texaco/Havoline, so it’s a perfect promotion. That’s right. For two hours on Thursday Montoya will get to understand what it’s like to be on the pit crew (with perhaps a little less pressure). Will anyone be there to time him?

Even if you’re not a NASCAR or Montoya fan, there’s still reason to go – they’ll be giving away stuff! You might not want an autographed Montoya shirt, photo, or hat. But can anyone say free gas?